Structural Ceramics Engineering Research Center, Shanghai Institute of Ceramics, CAS

　　中国科学院上海硅酸盐研究所结构陶瓷工程研究中心（复合材料研究中心）·主办

　　学术报告

　　Challenges in Fostering Research and Education in Ceramics

　　Speaker：Dr. Lynnette D. Madsen

　　Program Director of Ceramics, US National Science Foundation (NSF)

　　时间：8月14日（周四）上午9:00

　　地点：四号楼14楼第一会议室

　　联系人：董绍明 研究员（52414324）

　　Abstract:

　　The US National Science Foundation (NSF) is a federal agency created "to promote the progress of science; to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare; to secure the national defense…" and its budget is made through an appropriation approved annually by Congress. The public’s support depends in part from their understanding and appreciation of research and development in science and engineering and their perception of its importance to society. It remains a challenge to convey both the excitement and relevance in each field. The study of ancient ceramics and ceramic art – an area readily identifiable by the public as ceramics – furthers the understanding of ourselves through a greater appreciation of history, art expression, and creation of functional pieces. By working closely with the American Ceramic Society (ACerS) through my position as the Program Director of Ceramics at NSF, I was instrumental in forming the Art, Archaeology and Conservation Science Division and served as the first Chair (in 2013). However, my primary focus at NSF is on the science of new or advanced ceramics – oxides, carbides, nitrides, borides, glasses and composites. These ceramics affect both our quality of life and economic prosperity since the ultimate goal in many cases is to manufacture superior products. Looking forward, challenges remain– how can we select the best topics and then the right projects within them? What types of funding modalities are needed: single investigator, infrastructure/ instrumentation, centers, teams that include manufacturing experts, groups or networks with international linkages, etc., or is it having the right combination of all of these? A critical aspect to success is to engage the very best people. This is a big issue in the US because there is an increasing number of minorities and a tendency for women to pursue non- science/engineering careers. We need to ensure talented individuals are attracted to this important field and that they obtain the necessary education. We must look farther to ensure they can thrive in their careers, educate the next generation, raise families and otherwise contribute to society. To be the most competitive, enjoy a high quality life, and reach one’s full potential, obstacles impeding research and education in ceramics need to be addressed.

　　Biography:

　　Dr. Lynnette D. Madsen has worked at the National Science Foundation (NSF) as a Program Director since 2000. She has been directly responsible for more than 500 awards totaling $155M+. During her tenure at NSF, she has grown the budget of the Ceramics Program from ~$6M to ~$11M annually. She has completed two detail assignments at NSF: one focused on increasing the advancement of women, and another focused on international efforts. She has led new co-operative activities with European researchers; been instrumental in forwarding NSF programs and initiatives on nanotechnology, manufacturing, sustainability, education, and diversity; and has an active independent research program. Her research includes epitaxial and pseudomorphic film growth and characterization, combinatorial nanomaterials science applied to perpendicular magnetic recording media, contact formation to silicon carbide, and the characterization of nanoscale graphite intercalation compounds. From 1999-2002, she held a visiting/adjunct faculty position at Carnegie Mellon University. Before working at NSF, she held a faculty position at Link?ping University in Sweden where she was promoted to Docent (Associate Professor), and previously she held post-doctoral positions at both Link?ping University and the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign. Earlier in her career, she spent a decade working in industry at Nortel Networks in Canada. She has enjoyed support from industry (ABB, Siemens and Nortel Networks) for her research and consulting. Her qualifications include a B.A.Sc. and B.A. (University of Waterloo), M.Eng. (Carleton University), and Ph.D. (McMaster University). To date she has published 90 journal, conference and magazine articles; been awarded two patents; and delivered more than 75 invited scientific or professional talks. NSF has recognized her efforts with two Director Awards, eight Performance Awards and an Incentive Award for Timely Program Management. As well, she has received an AVS Excellence in Leadership recognition, a SHPE Junipero Serra Award, a Professional Achievement Engineering Alumni Medal from the University of Waterloo, and a Materials Research Society Presentation Award. She has served as a panelist for the National Research Council and currently serves as an advisory board member for the Rosalind Franklin Society.